What Is The Difference Between STV and FPTP?

SINGLE TRANSFERABLE VOTE

The Single Transferable Vote (STV) is a voting system used in elections where voters rank candidates in order of preference. It aims to achieve proportional representation by transferring surplus votes from winning candidates and redistributing the votes of eliminated candidates according to voters' subsequent preferences until all seats are filled.

Pros:

1. Proportional Representation: STV tends to result in a more accurate representation of voters' preferences, as it aims to allocate seats in proportion to the votes received by each candidate or party.
2. Voter Choice: Allows voters to express their preferences for multiple candidates, promoting a sense of empowerment and engagement.
3. Minimizes Wasted Votes: Because votes are transferred based on preferences, fewer votes are "wasted" on candidates who have no chance of winning, compared to other voting systems.

Cons:

1. Complexity: STV can be more complex for voters to understand due to the ranking of candidates, potentially leading to voter confusion and lower turnout.

FIRST PAST THE POST

First Past the Post (FPTP) is a voting system where voters simply choose one candidate, and the candidate with the most votes wins, regardless of whether they have a majority. It's a simple and commonly used system, but it can sometimes lead to outcomes where the winning candidate doesn't have the support of the majority of voters.

Pros:

1. Simplicity: FPTP is easy for voters to understand and for officials to administer, as it involves selecting just one candidate.
2. Clear Outcome: FPTP often produces a clear winner, as the candidate with the most votes wins the election, simplifying the decision-making process.

Cons:

1. Wasted Votes: Votes for losing candidates and votes for winning candidates beyond what is necessary to win (surplus votes) are effectively wasted under FPTP, potentially leading to feelings of disenfranchisement.
2. Limited Voter Choice: FPTP can limit voter choice by promoting a two-candidate system based on popularity / friendships, and discouraging the success of less popular candidates.

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